Otis j



O. I. TRENIS.

COMBINED IDENTIFICATION DEVICE, TAG SEAL CARRIER, AND FRONT AND REAR LIGHT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, I916.

Patented Oct. 19, 1920.

" to display identification numbers at. the

front and rear of the vehicle, and front and UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTIS J'. .TRENI S, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

COMBINED IDENTIFICATION DEVICE, TAG-SEAL CARRIER, AND FRONT AND REAR LIGHT FOR MpTOR-VEHICLES. 1

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 17, 1916. Serial No. 104,322.

vices, Tag-Seal Carriers, and Front and Rear Lights for Motor-Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to combined identification and safety devices for vehicles, and more particularly to a carrier for transparent numerals visible day and night, at the front and rear of the vehicle, said carrier adapted to effectively display tax seals of various States or sections.

The principal objects of my invention are, first to provide devices of the character described which may be attached to any type of vehicle and serve a dual function,-

rear lights, at night, operable to serve as a danger signal, as when stopping the vehicle or prior to turning from a usual course,

' preventing rear end collisions and other accidents; second, to provide a device of the character described including a box-like carrier for transparent numbers, illuminating means, etc., which is adapted to be permanently secured to a vehicle at the rear left side, and above the mudguard, as are carried by motor vehicles, rendering the de- I vice non-transferable, eliminating dead numbers, and preventing a thief from changing the numbers to insure a getaway with a stolen vehicle; third, to provide a device of the I character described adapted to be placed in a clear, conspicuous position with numerals visible at a great distance, at day and night,-and at the front and rear ofthe vehicle, so that an officer instructed to be on the outlook may detect the particular vehicle at day or night as the vehicle is approaching him, and in which connection it is pointedout-that the laws of some States now require merely a rear identification tag, illuminated at night,

while others require a front and rear identification tag, with the rear tag illuminated at night; fourth, to provide a device of the character described, which in its normal position may be observed from the operators seat to determine that it is properly illuminated at night, obviating the necessity of dash light, in circuit with rear lamps; fifth, to provide a device of the character susceptible of attachment to the rear left side of scribed which may be illuminated at night at both the front and the rear, economizlng in the fuel or energy used for illuminating purposes; and, to provide a device of the characterdescribed which will obviate the necessity of numerous identification tags or plates when the vehicle is used interstate. but which will effectively display tax seals securely held in place against unauthorized use.

Other objects of my invention will appear in the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanyin drawing, forming a part of this speci cation, and in which drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view of the rear end portion of avehicle, looking from the front toward the rear side thereof, and showing a device constructed according to my invention, applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l lookin toward the rear left side, from the rear 0 the vehicle.

Fig. 3 is a central'vertical sectional view through a device embodying my invention.

Patented 0a. 19, 1920.

views, A designates a vehicle including a mudguard B at the rear left side thereof; (1 a box-like carrier positioned at the left rear side of the vehicle, above the mudsuitable manner, to provide ways 10 guard B; D, means for securing said carrier in said position; E, plates displo inp; identification numerals, as by means "rcvided with opaque and transparent portions; F, illuminating means within carrier G; G, mechanism for controlling means F; and lil, tax seals.

lVhile I have herein shown the invention as applied to a motor vehicle, it is under stood that this invention is susceptible of applicationto anything in or on which any person or thing is, or may be, carried, as a motor vehicle, wagon, boat, ship, or dirigible, without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention, exceyninp; far the claims import.

For reasons hereinafter more specifically set forth, in the example shown, l have mounted the box-like carrier U upon the mud-guard B, at the crown. thereof, and int orally of the rear left side of the vehicle said carrier being secured to the inud-s uai as by rivets D, or may be made as a part or the mud-guard or vehicle.

Referring first to the carrier C, it comprises a Ushaped frame 7, includng a base 8 and upright stems 9, in the example shown, said tran'ie formed at its two faces, in any acent its faces, and open at the interior the frame; a closure ll for the open edgy; frame 7, said closure hinged, as 12, to stem 9, and provided with a flap 13 to l adjacent the opposite stem oi side 9 of frame 7; and, a yieldable packing l-l in each n 10, if desired, for a purpose to be more in set forth hereinafter. In the or; shown, each way 10 is provided by be the main body of the frame inwardly, provide an inner flange l5 and an outer flange 16, the packing being tl-shaped 1. cross section and fitting between said flanges. in addition to the ii p 13, the closure ll may be provided with longitudinal l? C posed at each face of the carrier i ls to the plates they may be in any suitable mate l preferably in tiamnmble, such as ass, and provided m 1d iii;

opaque portions 18, and transparent portions 1), said transparent portions being in the form of characters, merals, or both. These plates a single or a plurality of pieces 1 I 'i i suci as letters or 1 111213 C0111]? lf iG,

i il-riftllfLQH iil s 11 ."0 iii. blink 13 .1 A trio projecting laterally of the outer edge or 1 By this arrangement, the iticat-ion number may also be more clearlv detected and remembered, in the exi shown, the letter C, the third letter of the uu'ihabet, reprcsenti numeral 3, and letter ll, the sixth letter in the alphabet, In practice, it has nd easier to remember a plurality oi? letters a numerals rather than the same aha actors wholly made up of numoi The frame 7 may be provided with unlity of perforations 26, as in its base to aline with perforations 21, in h shown, formed in mud-guard 1 forations to receive the means D, 7 example shown, in the form of rivets.

of the frame may also be prowith an openin for a purpose to s1driequently set forth, together with a 23, adapted to aline with a per- 'jOl'fl't on 2% in the flap 13 of c" sure ll.

iferring now to the illuminating means l", it may comprise an Lehaped support 25, one stem 01'' which to extend transversely throus gh opening 22, in frame 7, and the other stem to close the said opening, and adapted to be secured to frame 7, as by ac 'ews 26 carried by the support and havscrew-tlneaded engagement with the one 5); lamps 27, 28, and 29 carried by sup or battery 30; and, suitable wiring 31, heretcr more specifically described. It is .7 red to provide white lamps 27 and 28 i a red lamp 29, and while I have shown the present example, a plurality of lamps, is to be understood that the invention is eptible of use, en'ibodying merely one lump, if desired.

The mechanism G may comprise a switch 82 including the arm and contacts 34: and S5. The battery or generator is grounded as at 36, from one pole, the other pole being in conducting communication with switch arm One pole of each lamp is grounded as at 37, While the other poles of lamps 28 and 27 are in conductin communication with switch point 3%. The other pole of lamp 29, is in conducting communication with switch point 35. Thus, when the switch arm 83 is thrown into engagement with point 34, the white lamps 2'? and 28 are illuminated, however, ii the switch arm is thrown into engagement with point 35, merely the red lamp 2 is illuminated.

It the switch arm is in engagement with neither point 3% or 35, the lamps are not illuminated. The means CT may be disposed at any portion or" the vehicle, under control of one of the passengers. 7

l ne of the principal objects of my invention to provide a device for use on we hicles which is used interstate, but which require merely-one identification number,

that is, a different identification number for each vehicle. In order that the device may be susceptible of use for displa ing tax seals for various States or. districts, have shown, by way of example, a plurality of tax seals supported by closure 11, in the example shown, these seals including a display portion 38, a stem 39, preferably polygonal in cross section; and, arms 40 extending from stem 39. If desired, the seals may also be provided with enlargements 41 intermediate stems 39 and display portion 38. The closure 11, or any other portion of the carrier C may be provided with a plurality of perforations 42 of a shape simllar to the stems 39, and through which said stems extend with the display portion 38 exterior-1y of the carrier. In the example shown, these perforations 42 are in the closure 11, disposing certain of the seals at the top of carrier 0, where they are visible from both the front and rear of the vehicle. The display portion may contain abbreviations of the States and year for which tax has been paid, and the seals for various adjacent States, may be of different colors and also differ in shape, as is the practice in connection with tax seals now in common use. One tax seal may serve to retain the closure 11 against unauthorized removal of the plates E or tax seals H, the stems 39 of said tax seal extending through the alined perforations 23 and 24, hereinbefore described, with its arms 40 separated to engage the internal periphery of frame 7 Access may be gained to separate the arms 40 through the opening 22, a suitable tool (not shown in the drawing), being provided to separate said arms.

' While I have herein shown the arms 40, adapted to be turned into engagement with the internal periphery of carrier C, it is to be understood that this is merely by way of example, since any suitable means or devices may be provided to retain the seals rigid with the carrier and against unauthorized displacement. The seals which are supported by closure 11 may be placed before the seal which serves to hold said closure against unauthorized displacement. The seals may be made of any suitable material, preferably coated with frangible material so that if any attempt is made to remove from the exterior of the carrier, the delineations on the display portions will chip away rendering them useless. When it is desired to replace the desired seals, they may be slipped off, as by use of a wire cutter, or other suitable tool, to engage beneath the enlargements 41 of the display portion 88.

When bringing the device into use, it is first permanently secured, preferably at the left rear side of the vehicle and when applied to a vehicle including a mud-guard at such portion, may be secured to the crown of operative relation to the carrier C to be displayed therefrom. Any of the perforations 42 which are not filled, may be closed by means of rivets, so that water will not enter the interior of the carrier. After the tax seals have been disposed in operative relation to the carrier, excepting that which may be provided to retain the closure of the carrier against unauthorized removal, the plates E are positioned in ways 10, as hereinbefore described. This is followed by sealing the closure of the carrier, and the device is ready for use to display the identification numbers as well as tax seals, and if desired, to serve as means for providing rear and front lights, as well as signals. The signaling may be accomplished by manipulation of the switch 32, in the example shown, the white lights being illuminated during motion of the vehicle at a normal speed, and the red light being displayed as the vehicle slows down or comes to a stop. In this connection, it is to be observed that, as the vehicle is stationed near the curb, or side of the roadway, merely the red lamp may be illuminated, which furnishes a danger signal at night, visible at both the front and rear of the vehicle. One of the passengers of the car, has merely to glance at the left rear portion of the vehicle to determine whether or not the identification numbers are properly illuminated at night, it being obvious that if the plate displayed at the front portion of the vehicle is not'illuminated,that at the rear is also not illuminated, that steps should be taken to comply with the law.

The law of the road is keep to the right and it is to beobserved that a vehicle approaching another in opposite directions, at night, can be steered so as to pass each other at a safe distance, avoiding accident, the signal or identification numbers being displayed at the left hand side of the vehicle.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention; but,

I claim 1. In combination with a vehicle body, a casing, number plates within said casing, means permanently securing said casing to the left rear side of the vehicle for displaying said plates to the front and rear of the vehicle and to prevent removal of the casing from the body, a seal sup ort confining said plates in said casing, an a tax seal sealing said support to the casing.

2. An identification means comprising a carrier, a number plate within said carrier, a seal support confining said plate within the carrier, and tax seals carried by said support and projecting above the carrier.

3. An identification means comprising a carrier, a number plate Within said carrier, at supporting plate hinged to the carrier, and confining said number plate therein, said hinged supporting plate provided With a plurality of openings, tax seals, attaching stems on said seals extending through said. openings to attach the seals to the hinged. supporting plate.

4. An identification means comprising a earrier, a number plate Within said carrier, 10 a seal support confining said plate in the carrier, a tax seal sealing said support to said carrier, and tax seals carried by said support and projecting above the carrier.

OTIS J. TRENIS. 

